A unique perspective on the deteriorating Memorial Bridge. The paint of the railing can be seen peeling away to its rusted undercoating…along with the clearance heights on the abutment. Kittery, Maine can be seen on the other side of the river with its homes and docked fishing/lobstering boats.

Portsmouth has no shortage of places to eat and drink, ranking as the city with the most bars per capita in the State of New Hampshire.  The Coat of Arms Pub on Fleet Street is a pretty unique spot, with a distinct feel and look inside and a great menu featuring traditional English items – and the Seacoast’s only snooker table. Check it out sometime…but in case you don’t get there for a while, today’s shot gives you a feel for it.  This visit was spent with two fellow photographers who happen to be great at what they do – and also hilarious and a blast to hang out with…check out their work at Brian Matiash or Chris Lazzery.

After a taste of warmth and then a fast return to the bitter cold…with plans to warm back up later this week again, I thought it would be fitting to remind everyone that in a few short months we’ll have our decks back…and will be able to enjoy some outdoor dining just like this inviting scene on Espanola Way in Miami.  I went for a walk during an otherwise quiet weekend, and wanted to explore this neat outdoor cafe section of town. It’s filled from block to block of art galleries, cafes, restaurants…and just had an overall relaxed feel.  I can’t wait until more of the snow retreats and we can spend more than a few minutes outside without having to wear gloves.

Be sure to check this one out in large form by clicking on the image to see the dashing looking waiter earning his title…waiting.

Familiar parts create a new scene…a freighter heads out to Portsmouth Harbor from its stop upriver…the Memorial Bridge is up, the Moran Towing tugboats are at work instead of at rest in their usual spot…and the Martingale Wharf is unobstructed and in plain view with its new brick skin.  A heavy vignette creates a nice dark circular frame around the image…all of which make this a shot that I totally love.  Hope you do too.

It has without question been a ridiculous New England winter…and this image of Sanders Fish Market on Marcy Street provides further evidence.  The pastel buildings lining the waterfront along Marcy Street are a favorite of mine…and I especially like the fact that you can stroll into the market and pick up some fresh locally caught fish.  The snow and the icicles make this frigid scene feel a bit less welcoming, but if you make the trip you won’t regret it.

The shots aren’t quite polar opposites, but they are coastal opposites.  The shot above was taken on the shore of South Beach in Miami on a warm morning just as first light made its way onto the atlantic coast, probably in the high 60s…and the shot below was taken on the shore of Rye Beach late in the afternoon after a major northeastern snow storm moved past the coast (dropping fresh snow) with temperatures probably in the low teens.  What I’m sure of is the fact that the ocean is mesmerizing regardless of where you’re watching it from, with its sheer immensity laughing off my presence.

This welcoming storefront belongs to Three Graces Gallery on Market Street downtown.  The gallery’s location on Market Street usually gives it gorgeous sunsets, with rich intense rays of sunlight reaching down Hanover Street to hit the storefront for a few minutes before retiring for the day.  The shop also has a gorgeous hanging sign, but there’s something about a straight on shot of a store with a good door that I can’t get enough of.  More shots to follow of the hanging sign and of the window soaked in sunlight to follow another time…  If you love art, do yourself a favor and stop in to see the one of a kind items featured in the gallery.  Currently, the Teeny Tiny Art Show VIII is featured and well worth a visit.